Flames and smoke billow from a fire, that started after a student was killed under disputed circumstances during clashes, at al-Azhar University, in the Nasr City suburb of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013. Al-Azhar students have been protesting for weeks against the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood– a group that Egyptian authorities designated a terrorist organization. Arabic on portion of sign reads, “Al-Azhar.” (AP Photo/Ahmed Ramadan)

CAIRO (AP) — Riot police moved into Egypt’s main Islamic university on Saturday, firing tear gas and breaking up a strike by students that threatened to disrupt midterms. One student was killed in the melee, an administration building was torched and students fled from exam rooms.

Police say they entered eastern Cairo’s Al-Azhar campus, the site of frequent clashes in recent weeks, and deployed around other Egyptian universities to prevent supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi from intimidating other students trying to take the tests.

Pro-Morsi activists have called for an exam boycott but deny government claims that they threatened anyone.

Students at al-Azhar, a stronghold of Morsi supporters, have been protesting for weeks against his ouster and a subsequent state crackdown, which this week saw his Muslim Brotherhood group declared a terrorist organization. The Brotherhood dismisses the label and has vowed to keep up its protests against Egypt-military backed authorities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education Hossam Eissa said authorities will go after those he said were Login to read more